Using CBD For Pain Relief

Pain is seldom seen from the outside, yet so many of us suffer from it. Many people struggle in silence, and for those of us that do seek relief, it's a game of experimentation. Oftentimes, we end up giving up on ourselves because we believe we are stuck with it forever.

We have been there!

We know what it’s like to have pain rule our lives, and we almost gave up too. Our reason for opening Happy Trails was to wake people up to a natural remedy that has the potential to bring you major relief. CBD is a naturally occurring compound in hemp that we reach for when we experience pain, and we are here to tell you more about it. Are you interested in using CBD for pain? Perfect. Let’s learn more about this cannabinoid and how it can help you.

What is CBD?

As discussed in a previous blog,What Is CBD?, CBD is a naturally-occurring compound found in cannabis that has tremendous therapeutic potential. This cannabinoid is easily recognized by our body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS is a regulatory system responsible for vital functions including immune support, mood regulation, memory, pain response, appetite, sleep, and more. At some point in life, cannabinoids in our body may fall below a desirable level or become imbalanced. When this happens, we may experience many of the ailments people encounter every day, including symptoms of pain. Supplementing with CBD from a natural plant source like hemp can be extremely beneficial to counteract these imbalances.

CBD & Pain Studies

A 2018 comprehensive review based on scientific evidence determined how well CBD works to relieve chronic pain. The review looked at studies conducted between 1975 and 2018.

Throughout these studies, we learn that CBD is just one cannabinoid in a sea of many, each being divided into their own ‘class’. In multiple animal studies, it was found that different classes of cannabinoids all suppressed inflammatory pain (1,2). Because inflammatory pain is a characteristic of several chronic diseases, including cancer, arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, etc., it can be concluded that cannabinoids may help reduce levels of pain and inflammation in those struggling with these and other inflammatory disorders.

Researchers concluded that CBD was effective in overall pain management and did not cause negative side effects, indicating it may be a great option for those seeking a natural and safe form of pain relief.

In addition, other parts of the cannabis plant, such as terpenoids and flavonoids, may contribute to pain and inflammation relieving properties (3,4). Because pain relief can come from multiple components of the cannabis plant, not just CBD, we recommend reaching for a full spectrum or broad spectrum product, vs. an isolate. Read our “pro tip” below to learn more. Now, let’s learn about what CBD products are out there and how much you may need in order to feel better.

How Do I Take It?

CBD products come in various forms; from tinctures to edibles, to vapables and topicals. Here is a brief description of the most common methods of delivery:

• Tinctures: Tinctures are oil based liquids that are dropped and held under the tongue. They are great for systemic relief of symptoms with consistent use.
• Topicals:Topicals are products that absorb through the skin. A topical is a great choice for localized pain and will also provide quick, short-term relief.
• Edibles:Edibles can be in the form of candy, honey, coffee/tea, etc.Edibles need to be digested and take longer to set in, but relief tends to last longer.
• Vaping/Smoking:Vapables contain CBD oil or CBD concentrates and enter the bloodstream quickly through the lungs. We also carryhemp flowerthat users can smoke. Because it does not have to pass through the digestive tract or liver, the act of vaping or smoking hemp is the fastest way to get CBD into your system.

What you choose is based on your preference and unique situation that you are navigating. If you come into the store or give us a call, we will gladly consult and assist you in finding the perfect product for your situation and lifestyle. Have questions about how much to take? That is coming next.

How Much Do I Take?

As far as dosing goes, the amount you take will depend on the severity and type of pain you are enduring. Check out ourCBD dosing guidelines for general dosing information if you are new to CBD. A good baseline dose for pain relief is anywhere around 15-25mgs, and we typically recommend 35-50mgs of CBD daily for those struggling with chronic pain, or pain that is more intense. It often takes up to two weeks for cannabinoids to build up in your endocannabinoid system. With consistency and a little patience, inflammation starts to decrease on a systemic level, and pain relief is usually right around the corner. Don’t be afraid to play with the dosage until you find your perfect amount, and sometimes that means combining products to tackle your issues in a well-rounded way. Here's an example of how to combine methods of delivery:

How to Combine Methods of Delivery

Alex takes any combination of the following to help with pain from his degenerative disc disease:

• Root Therapeutics Water Soluble Full Spectrum Hemp Extract (due to high absorption and near immediate onset),
• Root Therapeutics Full Spectrum Gummies

As you can see, Alex uses various methods of delivery: a tincture, an edible, and two different topicals. Combining and rotating various delivery methods can help target your symptoms from multiple angles and lend greater relief. For this reason, we encourage you to switch up your routine or add another method of delivery if you are looking for more relief.

Have fun and play around with what fits your lifestyle. As always, we are here to help you find your perfect combination!

Pro Tip: Combining multiple cannabinoids produces a synergizing effect in the body which allows them to work together at a greater capacity and for this reason, we always recommend a full spectrum product over an isolate. As a final note, feel free to combine any CBD products with Delta-8 THC products. Customers are loving ourDelta-8 THC Gummies.

Should I Give it a Try?

If you’ve gotten this far, what do you have to lose? Check outStephanie’s inspiring story with chronic pain and how she was able to veer away from narcotics with the implementation of CBD! Please be aware that all CBD products are not created equal. Quality and education is what we put first at Happy Trails, so rest assured you will always understand your product and what it has the potential to do for you as long as you work with us.

Still have questions? Please reach out to us on Facebook,Instagram or direct message us here.

References:

1. Hammell DC, Zhang LP, Ma F, et al. Transdermal cannabidiol reduces inflammation and pain-related behaviours in a rat model of arthritis. Eur J Pain. 2016;20(6):936-948. doi:10.1002/ejp.818
2. Starowicz, K., and Finn, D. P. (2017). Cannabinoids and pain: sites and mechanisms of action. Adv. Pharmacol. 80, 437–475. doi: 10.1016/bs.apha.2017.05.003
3. Andre, C. M., Hausman, J. F., and Guerriero, G. (2016). Cannabis sativa: the plant of the thousand and one molecules. Front. Plant Sci. 7:19. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2016.00019
4. ElSohly, M. A., Radwan, M. M., Gul, W., Chandra, S., and Galal, A. (2017). Phytochemistry of Cannabis sativa L. Prog. Chem. Org. Nat. Prod. 103, 1–36. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-45541-9_1